Reading and composition courses based upon primary historical documents and secondary historical scholarship. These courses provide an introduction to core issues in the interpretation of historical texts and introduce students to the distinctive ways of reading primary and secondary sources. Courses focus on specific historical topics but address general issues of how historians read and write. Satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement.

Mary, the mother of a man called Jesus, remains one of the most powerful female icons in world history. This R1B offers a historical and a global view of the Virgin Mary’s meteoric rise and enduring appeal, from the late ancient world to today. The readings focus on Byzantium, Mary in the Western Middle Ages, Islamic writings on Mary, the Black Madonna, the Virgin of Guadalupe, icons of Mary in Ethiopia, the miraculous statue of the Virgin in the Philippines, the the Grotto the Apparitions in Lourdes, France, and Our Lady of Vailankanni, India, shrines that draw millions of worshippers each year. Students will engage in increasing in length short written assignments based on the readings for the class. The assignments will cover how to write about textual, visual, and material sources. After mastering the art of the sentence, the class will progress to writing paragraphs and a final essay. Class meetings will be conducted as writing workshops and attendance is mandatory.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills